That
much-needed funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development would
help individuals and businesses still reeling from Tropical Storm Irene and
last spring's floods.

"We've
assessed to the best of our ability what's out there and tried to assign this
money to address some of those critical needs that we know of already," says
Josh Hanford, director of the Vermont Community Development program which is
still trying to identify the worst hit areas.

Hanford says hearing from the public this month will help his
agency tweak how it assigns potential incoming dollars to meet the state's
local recovery needs. So far, the agency estimates, there's still $22 million needed
to assist businesses; $5.4 million for farms. FEMA estimates there are still
more than 1,500 homes that need support estimated to cost nearly $25 million. Some
of that need might be covered by other agencies and programs.

But
across Vermont, the unpredictable arithmetic of Tropical Storm Irene
has obliterated local budgets, putting many communities under severe fiscal
stress. Hanford says the federal government, however, is requiring
that the state targets 80 percent of the HUD money to just two Vermont counties - Washington
and Windsor.

"That's
a real challenge, knowing all the need that's in Windham County." Hanford
says. "We're seeking some flexibility on that from HUD, working with our
Congressional delegation. But as of yet we don't have that, so we have to work
under the conditions we have."

The
Agency of Commerce has until the end of July to develop a comprehensive
disaster relief plan, so beginning this week it is holding public hearings in Brattleboro, White River Junction and Montpelier.